Temporary lifting device for an electronic chassis

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention provide a temporary lifting device for electronic chassis such as a server chassis. The lifting device comprises a customized sling connected to a server using a strap to secure the server on the sling. The strap can be removed to detach the server from the sling as it is installed in a rack.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to temporary lifting devices forelectronic chassis such as server chassis.

2. Description of the Related Art

An organization may maintain several servers to store and process largevolumes of data, software and provide other network services. Theseservers are typically placed in one or more racks in a server room.Racks are typically box-like structures with shelves to house one ormore servers. Servers may be placed in the rack by lifting the serverand sliding it into a shelf or onto slides or rails in the rack.

One problem with placing servers in a rack is that servers can be quiteheavy and difficult to handle while lifting. Therefore, serverstypically include handles that are integrated into the frame of theproduct. However, adding permanently integrated handles has severaldisadvantages. First, the cost associated with including the permanenthandles may be prohibitive, making the product less feasible tomanufacture and adding too much cost to pass along to customers. Second,rack mounted servers have become increasingly complex and packed withseveral components. However, because each server must fit into thepredefined configuration and dimensions of the rack, any additionalfeatures or components must fit within the dimensional limitations. Thehandles, which are used only for lifting, may occupy valuable space thatcould be used to add such desirable features and components.

Therefore, what is needed is an apparatus and method for providinginexpensive, temporary and/or disposable handles to safely lift, moveand install a rack mountable server in a rack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally provide methods andapparatus for temporarily lifting electronic chassis such as serverchassis for rack installation.

One embodiment provides a method for installing a server chassis into aserver rack using a temporary lifting device. The method generallyincludes placing the server chassis on top of at least one server slingcomprising a handle at both ends of the server sling, the server slingbeing customized to hold the server chassis. The method further includesfastening the server chassis to the one or more slings using one or morestraps to bind each server sling to the server chassis wherein thestraps wrap around the server chassis and the server sling through anopening at both ends of the server chassis. The method further includeslifting and moving the server chassis using the one or more serverslings, inserting one end of the server chassis into the server rack,removing each of the one or more straps to detach each server sling fromthe server chassis as the server chassis is inserted into the serverrack, and sliding the server into the server rack.

Another embodiment of the invention provides a temporary server chassislifting device generally comprising a server sling and a strap. Theserver sling generally comprises a customizable server chassis holdingsurface, a handle at both ends of the sling to carry the sling, and anopening at both ends of the sling, the openings being provided to allowfor clasping a human fist around the handle and for strapping the slingto the server chassis. The strap fastens the server chassis to the slingby wrapping around the server and the sling, through the openings atboth ends of the sling.

Another embodiment provides a kit that includes a temporary serverchassis lifting device and an instruction manual. The instruction manualincludes instructions for operating the server sling to install a serverchassis into a server rack. In one embodiment, the instructions defineuser steps including placing the server chassis on top of the serversling; fastening the server chassis to the sling using the strap to bindthe server sling to the server chassis wherein the strap wraps aroundthe server chassis and the server sling through the openings at bothends of the server chassis; lifting and moving the server chassis usingthe server sling; inserting one end of the server chassis into theserver rack; removing the strap to detach the server sling from theserver chassis as the server chassis is inserted into the server rack;and sliding the server into the server rack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages andobjects of the present invention are attained and can be understood indetail, a more particular description of the invention, brieflysummarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereofwhich are illustrated in the appended drawings.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate onlytypical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to beconsidered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to otherequally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary server sling according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate how a server may be secured to two serverslings using straps, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3A is a close-up bottom view of a server secured to a sling using astrap, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate detachment of the slings during rackinstallation, according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention provide a temporary lifting devicefor electronic chassis such as a server chassis. The lifting devicecomprises a customized sling connected to a server using a strap tosecure the server on the sling. The strap can be removed to detach theserver from the sling as it is installed in a rack.

In the following, reference is made to embodiments of the invention.However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited tospecific described embodiments. Instead, any combination of thefollowing features and elements, whether related to differentembodiments or not, is contemplated to implement and practice theinvention. Furthermore, in various embodiments the invention providesnumerous advantages over the prior art. However, although embodiments ofthe invention may achieve advantages over other possible solutionsand/or over the prior art, whether or not a particular advantage isachieved by a given embodiment is not limiting of the invention. Thus,the following aspects, features, embodiments and advantages are merelyillustrative and not considered elements or limitations of the appendedclaims except where explicitly recited in the claim(s). Likewise,reference to “the invention ” shall not be construed as a generalizationof any inventive subject matter disclosed herein and shall not beconsidered to be an element or limitation of the appended claims exceptwhere explicitly recited in a claim(s).

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary sling S according to one embodiment ofthe invention. As illustrated, the sling may have a gripping surface Gat either end to provide handles for lifting the sling. The grippingsurface may be curved to fit the contours of the human hand so that afirm grip may be attained when lifting the sling. Curved surface G maybe achieved by bending the ends of the sling and bonding the ends of thesling along surfaces A as illustrated. The length B of surface A may beany length that is sufficiently large to ensure that the integrity ofthe sling is maintained while in use. One skilled in the art willrecognize that the length B, for example, may depend on the material ofthe sling, bonding method or material and weight restrictions for thesling, among other factors.

Furthermore, sling S may also have openings O at either end of the slingto enhance the ability to grip the sling. The openings O may have awidth W wide enough to allow the fingers of a human hand to wrap aroundthe gripping surface, thereby allowing for a firmer grip. Openings O mayalso have a length L. Length L may depend on the dimensions of aparticular server footprint. For example, length L may depend on serverlength. Therefore, length L may be long enough so that length SL ofsurface F of sling is at or near the server length. In one embodiment ofthe invention, openings O may be made by using a laser cutting process.However, one skilled in that art will recognize that any reasonablemeans for cutting sling S to make openings O may be used. Accordingly,in one embodiment, the openings O are formed in a monolithic piece ofmaterial from which the sling S is fabricated.

The cuts made to create openings O may leave sharp edges along thegripping surface G. Therefore, in one embodiment, cylindrical pressboardtubes P are placed inside the curvature at the ends of Sling S. Thecurved surface of the cylindrical pressboard tubes P may prevent cuts(to the operator's hands) caused by gripping Sling S along the grippingsurface G and the edges of opening O. In one embodiment of theinvention, Sling S may be made from reinforced cardboard. Therefore,pressboard tubes P may be provided to prevent paper cuts. However, oneskilled in the art will recognize that any appropriate material, such aswood or metal, may be used to make sling S. The choice of material, forexample, may depend on the cost, weight, strength and elasticity amongother properties of the material. The physical properties of thematerial may also be a factor determining the width WA and height HA ofthe sling illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are examples of how a server E may be mounted on a pairof slings S1 and S2. The two slings S1 and S2 may be placed parallel toeach other and the server E may be placed on the surfaces F of slings S1and S2. Server E is fastened to the slings using straps G1 and G2. Forexample, Strap G1 is run along the top of the server chassis, through anopening O of sling S1, as illustrated in FIG. 2A. The strap is also runalong the bottom surface of sling S1, through the other opening O ofsling S1 (as illustrated in FIG. 2B), and back around to the top of theserver. Similarly strap 2 is used to fasten server E to sling S2.

The length of straps G1 and G2 may be such that there is an overlap whenthey are wrapped around the server E to fasten it to slings S1 and S2.The straps may be bonded to themselves along the overlap length OL asillustrated. The overlap length OL, along which the strap is bonded toitself, may depend on the strength of the bonding or bonding methodused. The bonding itself may be sufficiently strong to fasten the serverto the sling as the server is being lifted and moved, while at the sametime being removable to detach the sling from server during rackinstallation. In one embodiment of the invention, the straps may bethermally bonded along the overlap length OL. However, one skilled inthe art will recognize that any reasonable means for bonding, Velcro ora buckle for example, may be used in a manner that accomplishes theabove stated goals of bonding the straps.

In one embodiment of the invention, to facilitate unstrapping, one endof the strap along the bonding length may be left unbonded to create aflap C, as illustrated. The strap may therefore be removed by pullingflap C to unstrap the sling. While a flap is described above and in thefigures as a means for unstrapping, embodiments of the invention are notlimited to using flaps for unstrapping. One skilled in the art willrecognize that any reasonable means for removing the strap, such ascutting the strap, may be used.

The width of the strap GW may be smaller than the width W of opening Oto facilitate passing the strap through the openings. The width of thestrap may also depend on cost and strength of the strapping material,among other factors.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a server E strapped to a sling S according toan embodiment of the invention. As illustrated, the strap G is run alongthe server and the bottom of sling S through an opening to secure thesling to the server. Strap G is bonded to itself, and a flap C isprovided to facilitate detachment of the sling from the server.

While the above descriptions illustrate the server E being mounted ontwo slings, one skilled in the art will recognize that one advantage ofat least one embodiment of the present invention is that any number ofslings may be used. Due to their temporary nature and detachability, anynumber of slings may be attached to any number of locations along thedimensions of the server. The number of slings attached may depend, forexample on the number of persons required to lift the server, the weightof the server and the strength of the sling material, among otherfactors.

Another advantage of using a detachable sling according to embodimentsof the present invention is the relative ease of rack installation.FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate how a server E attached to two slings S1 andS2 may be installed in a rack R. One end of the server E is first placedinto an opening in the rack R, as illustrated in FIG. 4A. As shown inFIG. 4A, sling S1 may be detached from the server, for example, bypulling the flap along the strap to free the sling. The server may beslid into the rack for some distance so that more of the server weightis transferred into the rack. Sling S2 may be removed the same way thatsling S1 was removed. The server may then be fully secured in the rackby sliding it all the way into the rack.

FIG. 4B is a close-up view of FIG. 4A and illustrates rack installation.An advantage of this method of rack installation is that control of theserver may be maintained as it is being installed in a rack. During rackinstallation it is likely that the server will be tilted and turned tomaneuver it into an empty shelf on a rack. This may especially be trueif the shelf into which the server is installed is a high shelf.Securing the server to the sling ensures that the server does not slidealong the sling and fall when such tilting and turning occurs.

In some embodiments the handles of the sling may bend around the edgesof the server as shown in FIG. 4B. As illustrated, the handles of slingsS1 and S2 bend upwards when the server is lifted, thereby creating awell to further secure the server on the slings.

It is also contemplated the sling may be distributed with an instructionmanual. The instruction manual may be a printed sheet, a booklet, apamphlet or even a CD-ROM or other article of manufacture. Theinstruction manual may also be made available via Internet downloadinstead of, or in addition to, being distributed (sold) with the sling.The instruction manual includes instructions for operating the serversling to install a server chassis into a server rack. In one embodiment,the instructions define user steps including placing the server chassison top of the server sling; fastening the server chassis to the slingusing the strap to bind the server sling to the server chassis whereinthe strap wraps around the server chassis and the server sling throughthe openings at both ends of the server chassis; lifting and moving theserver chassis using the server sling; inserting one end of the serverchassis into the server rack; removing the strap to detach the serversling from the server chassis as the server chassis is inserted into theserver rack; and sliding the server into the server rack.

Conclusion

Accordingly, embodiments for transporting servers are provided. Inparticular, embodiments for transporting servers onto racks areprovided. In one embodiment, a sling is provided which may beinexpensive, temporary and/or include disposable or consumable elements(e.g., handles). In one aspect, such a sling may allow a server to befirmly attached to the sling and prevent the server from sliding as itis moved around, thereby reducing the possibility of the server beingdropped and damaged. Furthermore, the slings may be sized proportionateto the server footprint, thereby reducing the possibility of the serversliding along the sling and facilitating installation of the server in arack.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention,other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised withoutdeparting from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof isdetermined by the claims that follow.

1. A method for installing a server chassis into a server rack using atemporary lifting device comprising: placing the server chassis on topof at least one server sling comprising a handle at both ends of theserver sling, the server sling being customized to hold the serverchassis; fastening the server chassis to the one or more slings usingone or more straps to bind each server sling to the server chassiswherein the straps wrap around the server chassis and the server slingthrough an opening at both ends of the server chassis; lifting andmoving the server chassis using the one or more server slings; insertingone end of the server chassis into the server rack; removing each of theone or more straps to detach each server sling from the server chassisas the server chassis is inserted into the server rack; and sliding theserver into the server rack.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theserver slings are parallel to one another when strapped to the serverchassis.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the overlapped portioncomprises a portion at the end of the strap that is not bonded to thestrap to create a flap, the flap facilitating the removing of the strapto detach the server sling from the server chassis.
 4. The method ofclaim 3, wherein the overlapped portion comprises a portion at the endof the strap that is not bonded to the strap to create a flap, the flapfacilitating the removing of the strap to detach the server sling fromthe server chassis.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the server slingis made from reinforced cardboard.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereincustomizing the server sling comprises adjusting the size of theopening.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the handles at both ends ofthe server sling comprise a pressboard tube.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the handle comprises the opening.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein the handles bend around the edge of the server chassis.
 10. Atemporary server chassis lifting device, comprising: a server sling,comprising: a customizable server chassis holding surface; a handle atboth ends of the sling to carry the sling; and an opening at both endsof the sling, the openings being provided to allow for clasping a humanfist around the handle and for strapping the sling to a server chassis;and a strap, wherein the strap fastens the server chassis to the slingby wrapping around the server chassis and the sling, through theopenings at both ends of the sling.
 11. The temporary server chassislifting device of claim 10, wherein the handle of the server slingcomprises the opening in the server sling.
 12. The temporary serverchassis lifting device of claim 10, wherein the strap wrapped around theserver chassis and the server sling is overlapped, wherein theoverlapped portions are bonded together.
 13. The temporary serverchassis lifting device of claim 12, wherein the overlapped portion ofthe strap comprises a portion at the end of the strap that is not bondedto create a flap, the flap facilitating the removing of the strap todetach the server sling from the server chassis.
 14. The temporaryserver chassis lifting device of claim 10, wherein the server sling ismade from reinforced cardboard.
 15. The temporary server chassis liftingdevice of claim 10, wherein the size of the openings in the server slingis adjusted to customize the server sling to a particular server. 16.The temporary server chassis lifting device of claim 10, wherein thehandles at the ends of the server sling comprise a pressboard tube. 17.The temporary server chassis lifting device of claim 10, wherein thehandles bend around the edge of the server chassis.
 18. A kit,comprising: a) a server sling, comprising: a customizable server chassisholding surface; a handle at both ends of the sling to carry the sling;and an opening at both ends of the sling, the openings being provided toallow for clasping a human fist around the handle and for strapping thesling to a server chassis; b) a strap, wherein the strap fastens theserver chassis to the sling by wrapping around the server chassis andthe sling, through the openings at both ends of the sling; and c) aninstruction manual including instructions for operating the server slingto install a server chassis into a server rack; the instructionsdefining user steps comprising: placing the server chassis on top of theserver sling; fastening the server chassis to the sling using the strapto bind the server sling to the server chassis wherein the strap wrapsaround the server chassis and the server sling through the openings atboth ends of the server chassis; lifting and moving the server chassisusing the server sling; inserting one end of the server chassis into theserver rack; removing the strap to detach the server sling from theserver chassis as the server chassis is inserted into the server rack;and sliding the server into the server rack.